Large Grey Babbler

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Large Grey Babbler
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Timaliidae Genus: Turdoides Species: T. malcolmi
Binomial name
Turdoides malcolmi (Sykes, 1832)

The Large Grey Babbler, Turdoides malcolmi, is an Old World babbler found in South Asia. The scientific name commemorates Major-General Sir John Malcolm, who collected the specimen described by Sykes.

The species is locally common and is found in small vociferous groups. They are easily identified both by their appearance and call. They have distintive white outer tail feathers on a long tail. They are also among the largest babblers in the region.

[edit] Distribution

Found throughout the Indian Subcontinent, south of the Himalayas, west until Lahore and east to Bihar.

[edit] Habits

The species is found in small flocks which keep in contact with loud nasal calls. They are mostly seen in open scrub country. They breed throughout the year.^[1] They have adapted to life in some cities such as Pune and Ahmedabad. In other cities such as Bangalore, they are seen only on the outskirts of the expanding urban zone.

Their nests are parasitized by the Pied Crested Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus).^[2]

[edit] References

1. ^ Rasmussen, P.C. and Anderton J. C. 2005. Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Lynx Edicions and Smithsonian Institution.
2. ^ Peter E. Lowther Host list of Avian Brood Parasites 2- CUCULIFORMES; Cuculidae, Field Museum, Chicago [1] Accessed October 2006

• BirdLife International (2004). Turdoides malcolmi. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern